Manchester United secured a point against Aston Villa which Erik ten Hag hopes will be enough to save his job.
After last Sunday’s harrowing defeat at home to Tottenham and another capitulation midweek against Porto in Europe, another defeat could have signalled the end of the Dutchman’s time in charge at Old Trafford.
United’s hierarchy will meet next week to discuss the manager’s future but a goalless draw on Sunday will help his cause.
In a tame affair on Sunday afternoon, Marcus Rashford was perhaps lucky not to be sent off after his careless challenge on Leon Bailey just moments after being booked.
Bruno Fernandes produced the best effort of the game, with his stunning free kick coming back off the cross bar.
With their midweek heroics against Bayern Munich perhaps taking a physical toll, Villa were unable to punish a downtrodden and uninspired United side on home turf.
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A point enough to save Erik ten Hag?
Half-time: Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
Erik ten Hag explains why Martinez and de Ligt are dropped
Watkins gets the nod up front
Maguire and Evans start at the back
Confirmed Man Utd XI to face Villa
That’s all from us
That’s it for our match coverage, thanks for joining us. Metro Sport will have all the post-match reaction for you this evening.
A point enough to save Erik ten Hag?
That was a tough watch but a clean sheet and a point will help Erik ten Hag’s cause ahead of a pivotal week at Old Trafford.
Full-time: Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United
A drab affair draws to a close. Is a point good enough to keep Ten Hag in the job?
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 90+2 mins
Huge block from Dalot! On the line, the full-back keeps out Duran’s shot and United charge forward on the counter. Once again, the final ballfrom Garnacho is dreadful and Villa mop up.
Six minutes added on
We are into injury time.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 88 mins
Bit of a delay in proceedings here, an issue with the match official’s microphone gear. More stoppage time is not what we fancied here.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 86 mins
Lindelof daftly pushes Duran to concede a free kick. In equally daft fashion, he lunges in to bring down Rogers from the resulting free-kick. Another yellow card for United.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 84 mins
Two more changes as we edge towards the end of this tame contest. Ian Maatsen is on for Digne with Casemiro replacing Mainoo.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 81 mins
United are looking so limp on the counter attack. Garnacho drives forward but looks uncertain and fairly unthreatening. He eventually picks out Zirkzee with a simple pass but the Dutchman’s first touch lets him down again.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 79 mins
A horrid first touch from Garnacho allows Villa to break with Duran leading the charge. United force the corner kick that de Ligt does well to head clear.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 76 mins
Digne steps up but lifts a poor effort over the bar.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 75 mins
De Ligt concedes a free kick and three Villa players are lining up for the free kick…
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 73 mins
Duran spins menacingly around Evans and lashes a shot on goal that is blocked by the United veteran. There are half-hearted appeals for hand ball that are swiftly dismissed.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 70 mins
Really poor play from Zirkzee. Fernandes lifts a superb ball over for the Dutchman who bears down on goal. It is far too easy for Villa to take the ball off him however and ease the pressure.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 67 mins
And hits the bar! Wonderful effort from Fernandes, he bends the free kick over the bar and towards the top corner but it bounces back off the woodwork.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 66 mins
Cash hauls Garnacho to the ground and United have a free kick 25 yards out from goal. Fernandes stands over it…
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 63 mins
More changes for United – Antony and Joshua Zirkzee are on for Rashford and Hojlund.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 61 mins
A huge let off for Rashford! Moments after the booking, he swings a lazy leg out and brings down Bailey. After a nervy few moments, he gets away with a talking to.
Jhon Duran meanwhile is entering the fray – he joins Watkins in attack with Bailey making way.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 60 mins
Another United booking, Rashford is the latest to be cautioned.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd | 58 mins
Watkins is the latest to have a go, combining well with Rogers but lashes a wild effort over the bar.
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